CCLEC – Caribbean Customs Law Enforcement Council – International Customs Organization

Capacity Building

Continually strengthening our human and physical capital through strategic planning and sustained training.

Information Technology

Realizing the vision of a highly networked Customs through the implementation of modern ICT solutions.

Border Protection

Promoting compliance to enhance global trade and travel through enhanced border security initiatives

Trade Facilitation

Facilitating fairness and transparency through systematic and standardized controls.

Oct12021

UWI Open Campus Delivers Train-the-trainer training

Featured, NewsBy Amory Frederick October 1, 2021

In the interest of building capacity, the CCLEC has commenced a train-the-trainer program, in collaboration with UWI Open Campus to develop the training skills of a cadre of regional officers. The main objective of the program is to equip officers with pedagogic skills to become professional trainers within their departments. They will also serve as trainers for delivering CCLEC online courses among member countries. The acquisition of skill, knowledge, and expertise provides the basis for the efficient and effective management of the operations of any organization. With limited resources to hire external experts, it is especially significant for small developing countries to develop their skills and become less reliant on external support.

Forty-one officers from Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, British Virgin Islands, Grenada, Guyana, St. Lucia, St Vincent, St. Kitts/Nevis, and the Turks & Caicos Islands benefited from the training.

Jun112021

CCLEC Pressed ahead with its 43rd Conference Despite the Pandemic

MeetingsBy Amory Frederick June 11, 2021

The Caribbean Customs Law Enforcement Council (CCLEC) celebrated its Forty Third Annual Conference via video conferencing during the period June 2^nd – 3^rd 2021.

Representatives of twenty-seven (27) member countries as well as a number of regional and international observers attended the sessions. Strategic partners included representatives of the World Customs Organization, the Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police (ACCP), Interpol, CDEMA, CDB, CICAD/OAS, Grenada Tourism Authority, Caribbean Law Enforcement Foundation (CLEF), Crime Stoppers, ICE and the Caribbean Brokers Association.

The Conference was preceded by a keynote address by Dr. Kunio Mikuriya, Secretary General of the World Customs Organisation (WCO). In his address, the Secretary General emphasized WCO’s commitment to the region under the Small Island Economies initiative. He also announced the development of two new guidelines which will be beneficial to the region – a global data standard for cruise ships and a compendium of best practices in the cruise ship environment and guidelines on Disaster Management and Supply Chain Continuity. (WCO Secretary General speech)

Recognizing the impact of the pandemic on the global economies and the challenges facing Customs administrations to manage the borders during a pandemic, Council invited regional and international partners, to present on topics that were both informative and relevant to the current reality.

Apr152021

St. Vincent and the Grenadines Volcanic Eruption : Message from Customs Comptroller

NewsBy Amory Frederick April 15, 2021

In St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the La Soufriere volcano is located at the northern side on the island. After effusively erupting since December, 2020, it explosively erupted on 9^th April, 2021 and continues to erupt explosively emanating clouds of ash throughout the island. It also generated pyroclastic density currents along the north western and north eastern valleys of the island. Thankfully, there has been no confirmed loss of lives. Nevertheless, it has left the island gloomy and desolate in some areas.

As a consequence of the disaster, the water catchment area has been compromised, adversely affecting the limited water supply. Six (6) members of the Customs and Excise staff have been displaced from their homes and are accommodated either at guest houses or with family members and friends. Members of staff are coping well despite being emotionally distressed. The airspace has been closed but the seaports are open in particular for humanitarian aid and normal business.

We are extremely grateful to the Caribbean Customs Law Enforcement Council (CCLEC) and our fellow Customs and Excise Divisions and Customs Sports Association across the Caribbean as well as other regional bodies for the expressed love, kindness and support during this difficult period.

Nov242020

CCLEC 42ND CONFERENCE (VIRTUAL)

MeetingsBy Amory Frederick November 24, 2020

The emergence of COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted face-to-face meetings and training globally and CCLEC, like many organizations, has had to adapt to this new environment. This year a shortened version of the CCLEC annual conference was held via video conferencing from November 4^th – 6^th 2020, primarily to discuss the organization’s work program and finances. Attendance was restricted to member administrations. A total of twenty-nine member countries from the English and Spanish Caribbean region, France, The Netherlands, Spain and the UK participated in the meeting.

CCLEC continues to foster collaboration with law enforcement agencies and at this meeting Lt. Col. Michael Jones, Acting Director of IMPACS, and Mr Michel Nice, INCB Manager of Project OPIOIDS, were invited to make presentations on cooperation in respect of enforcement.

Lt. Col. Michael Jones, presented on IMPACS’ current work program, including a new initiative to strengthen the digital partnership between CCLEC and CARICOM IMPACS. One of the main objectives of this initiative is to operationalize the MOU between CARICOM IMPACS and CCLEC through the sharing of SailClear data. The project will expand access to APIS throughout the fifteen (15) CARICOM members states and enhance the processing of the SailClear API through stronger strategic and digital partnership with CCLEC.

SailClear provides border agencies with an administrative tool to assist with border security whilst facilitating the processing of yachts. A lack of security for visitors to our shores, could have serious impacts on the regional tourism industry and general economies. CCLEC therefore fully endorses collaboration with CARICOM IMPACS to secure the region’s borders.

An MOU with the UNODC/INCB to facilitate the sharing of intelligence on the sources and identity of dangerous substances and training for the region was also approved by Council.

Jul162020

PS CCLEC Statement on the Slaying of Nigel Christian – Antiguan Customs and Excise Officer 10th July 2020

NewsBy Amory Frederick July 16, 2020

The Caribbean Customs Law Enforcement Council laments the abduction July 10^th 2020 and subsequent slaying of Antiguan Customs and Excise Officer Nigel Christian. The brazen and brutal manner of his abduction and killing has left the Antiguan, Caribbean and International Customs community in shock.

We unitedly condemn his slaying and are confident that the Government of Antigua and Barbuda and its National Security establishment will employ all professional means, leaving no stone unturned, in exposing the perpetrators, their motive for this act in order to bring those responsible to justice.

This shows the level of risks that Customs, Police and other public officers are exposed to in serving the state and the public. Officers are encouraged to continue performing their duties fairly, with integrity, without favour or fear for the welfare of their nation.

We express our deepest condolences and pray for the consolation of his immediate family, relatives and Customs colleagues.

Jun222020

CCLEC Customs Business Intelligence (BI) – Project

Classified, TechnologyBy Aaron Smith June 22, 2020

CCLEC aims to develop and provide this tool to assist Customs Administrations in identifying and resolving revenue leakage and trade compliance problems that are impacting duty and tax collections, trade agreements and revenue management capabilities.

The CCLEC BI Tool will interact directly with the Customs Automated Information System (ASYCUDA) – The ASYCUDA is a computerized customs management system which covers most foreign trade procedures. The system handles manifests and customs declarations, accounting procedures, warehousing manifest and suspense procedures.

The developed Business Intelligence tool will access the stored ASYCUDA data and will generate reports, statistics and metrics needed by local administrations and their governments.

The CCLEC BI tool will provide the capability to manipulate and generate dashboards, key performance reports, calculations, metrics and benchmarks, all vital to drive their operation and work flows.

Download RFP

Mar62020

CCLEC’s Support to Regional Customs Departments Regarding the Coronavirus Threat

GeneralBy Elvira Samuel March 6, 2020

The Caribbean Customs Law Enforcement Council (CCLEC) continues to monitor regional and International Organization’s status reports, national policy statements and preparations to manage the Coronavirus outbreak already plaguing several countries worldwide.

Customs, Immigration, Health and Quarantine officers, Ports Authority workers, passengers, crew and all persons interacting at Ports have legitimate reasons to be concerned about their health and safety in view of the Coronavirus threat to the Caribbean Community.

Permanent Secretary of the CCLEC, Albert Sandy, in an advisory to Heads of Customs and Excise Departments on Monday, March 2^ndexpressed confidence in the ability of the SailClear/RCS2019 vessel processing System to assist Customs, Immigration and Port Health officers in managing the coronavirus threat to Caribbean states. The SailClear/RCS 2019 System which is already in use by Caribbean Customs administrations, from Bermuda to the ABC Islands, is a live, online administrative tool that receives, prearrival notifications from pleasure yachts and other small vessels arriving from any port in the world, intending to visit any Caribbean Port(s). That information received in advance by Customs is used to assess the vessels, crew and luggage before arrival or departure, enabling Customs, immigration or other authorities (using the Customs and health declaration) to determine how to treat the vessels and their occupants. It also serves as a facilitation tool to expedite the vessel clearance process, without the need of masters and crew presenting handwritten declarations to Customs and Immigration authorities.

Feb182020

Visit of WCO Secretary General to St Lucia

Facilitation, NewsBy Elvira Samuel February 18, 2020

The Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO), Dr. Kunio Mikuriya, visited St. Lucia from the 12th to 14th February 2020. During his stay the Secretary General made official visits to the Acting Comptroller of Customs and Excise, Mrs. Anita Montoute and her staff, the Government of St. Lucia and the Caribbean Customs Law Enforcement Council.

The welcome meeting, hosted by the Customs Comptroller and Ministry of Finance, was attended by the Comptroller of Customs, Minister of Commerce and Trade, Hon. Bradley Felix, Deputy PS Finance, Acting Commissioner of Police Milton Desir, Permanent Secretary of CCLEC, Mr. Albert Sandy, administrators and staff of the Inland Revenue Department, Customs and Excise Administrators and staff and other invited guests.

Acting Comptroller of Customs Montoute welcomed Dr. Mikuryia, expressing her thanks for his consideration of St. Lucia for such an important visit. She mentioned various conventions signed, which are being actively enforced by St Lucia, such as the Montreal Protocol on ODS substances, the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement and the WCO Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC). She mentioned that the St. Lucia Customs and Excise Department continues to collaborate with the WCO and CCLEC to build the capacity of its staff to increase their abilities to facilitate trade through risk management principles and practices while ensuring the control of restricted and prohibited goods and contraband.

The Permanent Secretary of CCLEC welcomed the Secretary General and expressed his thanks to the WCO for the collaboration in Capacity Building, Trade Facilitation among other areas. He stated that CCLEC and the WCO have an established MOU between them which will shortly be reviewed and practically deepened. CCLEC’s Joint Intelligence Office is also the Regional Intelligence Liaison Office (RILO) for the WCO.

On the 14th SG Mikuriya visited the CCLEC Secretariat where discussion was held on deepening collaboration between CCLEC and the WCO including the synchronization of their strategies in order to better meet member’s needs. In May 2020 CCLEC, the WCO and CARICOM will jointly stage an STCE training course in the Eastern Caribbean to benefit member administrations.

Dec92019

The Passing of the Former Comptroller of St Kitts & Nevis Customs, Mr Donald Cable

General, NewsBy Elvira Samuel December 9, 2019

On behalf of the Caribbean Customs Law Enforcement Council, I would like to convey sincere condolences to the dear wife, family, friends and Customs fraternity of St. Kitts, Nevis and beyond, on the passing from this life of Mr. Donald Cable, retired Comptroller, of St. Kitts, Nevis Customs and Excise.

Mr. Cable signed the CCLEC MOU in 1994 and during his tenure as Comptroller, his support for the organization remained unflinching and resolute. The entire CCLEC membership benefited tremendously from his vision, practical engagement and personality at our meetings.

He was fully committed to CCLEC’s initiatives, including the successful implementation of the Junior Officer Basic Course in the region, the Regional Airports Anti-Smuggling Initiative in 2000 and in 2001. He welcomed the CCLEC Consultants to implement the Enforcement / Roving Team concept in St. Kitts Customs. This concept continues to be employed with success over the years, a testimony to his vision. His various job portfolios, respect and support from the press and Governments, are testimony to the quality of person he was. A sterling example was he for civil servants to follow.

Please accept our heartfelt sympathy. May he rest in Peace.

Albert V. Sandy

Permanent Secretary

Caribbean Customs Law Enforcement Council

Nov192019

Cuba Ratifies CCO Treaty

NewsBy Elvira Samuel November 19, 2019

On November 1^st 2019, the Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to St. Lucia, His excellency Alejandro Marin, deposited Cuba’s Instrument of Ratification of the Caribbean Customs Organisation (CCO) Treaty at the CCLEC Secretariat. The CCO Treaty was signed by fourteen countries on May 22^nd, 2019 in Havana and will enter into force three months after the date of the deposit of the instrument of ratification, acceptance or approval in accordance with Articles 5 and 60 of the Agreement.

In presenting the instrument, His Excellency Ambassador Marin, thanked the PS, Executive Committee and Council for the efforts to move from an MOU to a Treaty Organization. He noted that Cuba has been a very willing and cooperative partner of the CCLEC from inception.

He said Cuba was very proud to sign the treaty in Havana on 22^nd May 2019 and now the first country to deposit its Instrument of ratification to the PS CCLEC. He reaffirms Cuba’s commitment to the organization and all its members and said that Cuba will continue its work and initiatives according to the Motto of the CCLEC 41^st Conference “Strength through Unity.”

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